Fr Vincent (1934 – 2009) was a born preacher, writer, teacher, educationist, musician, scout master, mathematician and so much more. Being such a multi-faceted person he was able to teach and communicate very effectively.
As a priest he was very intense. He believed in his priesthood. He was not sentimental or affected, but he prayed and celebrated the liturgy intensely and fervently. As a good Salesian he felt the need for daily conversion. He was regular at the confessional. His advice and direction in the confessional came from his vast experience and up-to-date information on moral issues. His sermons were well researched and delivered with much feeling. He never said 'no' to a request for ministry, be it Mass, confessions, recollections or retreats. And whatever he did, he did perfectly.
He was very productive and worked practically till he died. He has written over 30 books in mathematics alone, besides his other literary accomplishments in the spiritual field. He has conducted over 60 seminars, expounding the utility and teaching of mathematics. He taught mathematics with passion.
Once Fr Vincent took to the plough he always marched ahead – striving, struggling, singing, praying, teaching, studying, inspiring and enjoying Salesian religious life. He served joyfully and not once flagging in zeal. He was gifted with an electrifying, pulsating and ecstatic voice that put listeners in a trance. He was a meticulous planner. He was practical, systematic, disciplined and a no-nonsense Salesian.
Fr Vincent sends out a strong message to us: that we need to be people who must make the best of what we have been blessed with and in turn deliver, because much has been given to us. But we ought to deliver perfectly, precisely and clearly. The same qualities reflect in his book, Lives of Saints which is published posthumously.
